Michelle Watson, who will replace Michael Landry as head of the math department, was serving as the K-12 math curriculum specialist in Wallingford. An eight-member committee made up of teachers, parents, administrators and a board member gave Watson the highest ratings out of the candidates who were interviewed.

Watson started her career in Abington, Pa., and was a seventh-grade math teacher in Wethersfield before moving on to Wallingford for the past six years. Watson graduated from Ursinis College, received her master's degree from Arcadia University and a sixth-year degree at Sacred Heart University.

``It was very clear to me that Michelle was the outstanding candidate for the position,'' Superintendent Alan B. Bookman said Monday. ``I feel confident she will be a wonderful asset to our administrative staff and she will also add many new ideas that she has used in other positions as well as carry on many successful Glastonbury traditions in our math program.''

Bookman added he was ``heartened'' by the number of quality candidates that sought the position.

``In this age of shortage of administrators, we were able to find a number of very capable candidates among our applicants,'' Bookman said.

MANCHESTER

Student Held On

Sex Assault Charge

MANCHESTER -- A Manchester High School student accused of forcing a teenage girl to have oral sex with him was in custody Wednesday with bail set at $50,000 after his arrest.

Joseph Platt, 17, of 32 Garden St., was arrested on a warrant Wednesday charging him with first-degree sexual assault and second-degree unlawful restraint, according to court documents.

Judge Curtissa Cofield, who is considering a reduction of Platt's bail, scheduled his next court date for Friday.

According to the arrest warrant, the accuser told police that Platt grabbed the back of her neck and hair. She had bruises on her neck, it states.

Platt apologized for hurting her in an e-mail sent after the May 9 incident, police said.

But Platt told police the oral sex was consensual, and that she kissed him goodbye afterward.

Platt was arraigned in open court; he was not eligible to be treated as a youthful offender because of the seriousness of the charges, court officials said.

Public Defender Alfonzo Sirica told Cofield that Platt's accuser had had a relationship with him.

``He has absolutely no criminal record,'' said Public Defender Alfonzo Sirica. ``It's one of those `He said, she said' type of deals.''

MANCHESTER

Block Watch President

Resigns, Prepares Move

MANCHESTER -- Linda Brown, president of the Spruce Street Block Watch, resigned her position and spent her last day as president Wednesday packing.

Brown said she is becoming a grandmother again and is preparing to move next month to Georgia to be with her growing family.

Brown spent her last days as Spruce Street Block Watch president organizing and holding National Night Out, which drew about 50 people Tuesday night, including Police Chief James Berry and Capt. Marc Montminy, Brown said.

VERNON

Searches Bring

Two Drug Arrests

VERNON -- Vernon police and the East Central Narcotics Task Force served two search warrants Tuesday evening and made two arrests.

One search warrant was served at 22 Ward St. in Rockville, where officers found nine ounces of marijuana, a digital scale and marijuana paraphernalia, police said. A woman who lives there, Brandy Beaupre, 56, was arrested on charges of possession of more than four ounces of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, sale of a controlled substance and operating a drug factory, police said.

She was held with bail set at $100,000 and arraigned Wednesday in Superior Court in Rockville.

The other warrant was served at 81 Spring St., where police said they found seven marijuana plants, grow lights, potting soil and marijuana cultivation equipment. The man who lives in the apartment, Phillip Gorski, 28, of 81B Spring St., was already in custody at the Vernon police station on charges of possession of more than four ounces of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, operating a drug factory and cultivating marijuana.

Police were led to Gorski's apartment after probation officers said they discovered the plants during an unannounced visit.

Gorski was held with bail set at $75,000 for arraignment Wednesday in Rockville.

VERNON

Police Investigating

Report Of Road Rage

VERNON -- Police are hoping the public can help them as they investigate an apparent road rage incident reported about 10:30 p.m. Monday on South Street near Bancroft Road.

A motorist told police he was driving on South Street when a Chevy Cavalier in front of him stopped suddenly for no apparent reason. That forced the motorist who called police to slam on his brakes and narrowly avoid colliding with the Cavalier.